Locs, Heels, and the Bible

You all knew that I would have something to say about the shenanigans of the Southern Baptist Convention.  In a world where progress is often measured by the leaps we make toward equality and justice, it is disheartening and scary to see how institutions - namely the Southern Baptist Convention - hold steadfastly to harmful and antiquated ideologies. Their refusal to allow females within their ordained pastoral ranks is at best misguided. Despite the pressing social issues that demand our attention, the SBC seems determined to suppress the voices, gifts, and potential of their own daughters, mothers, and wives.  Misreading and Misinterpretation of Scripture: The foundation for the Southern Baptist Convention's position on female pastors lies in a theological interpretation of Scripture that is deeply flawed. I am positing that their stance is based on a narrow reading of a few select passages, while disregarding the broader message of the life of Jesus. By selectively emph...

I am staying with The United Methodist Church. Months ago, on a Wednesday morning, in the quiet sanctuary of a United Methodist Church, as sunlight streamed through stained glass windows blinding me on the turn, I sat in a pew, reflecting on my decision to remain rooted within the embrace of The United Methodist Church. My heart walked through my journey with the church and paused at several historic moments. There, I wept, laughed, and sobered as the memories were allowed to emerge and speak. Presently, I am watching the church I love take toddler steps towards a commitment to dismantling systems of subjugation. I have worked alongside and witnessed firsthand the tireless efforts of some of my fellow clergy and of laity, fighting against injustice and discrimination. We are rallying for the human rights of marginalized communities, our voices ringing with compassion and conviction rooted in our Wesleyan rule of life. The UMC is standing as a beacon of hope, challenging societal norms,...

Acts 1 I told you to wait. Here it comes😜 I heard that a little boy in Sunday School described the ascension as Jesus evaporating 😂 DED.  The text in Acts frames its moral instruction as the response of faith to Jesus’ exaltation. The Ascension of Jesus holds deep political implications that challenge our understanding of power, authority, and the nature of God's kingdom. As I studied this text this year, I explored the political dimensions of the Ascension, examining its subversive message of hope, justice, and a transformative vision for society.  The Political Context:  To comprehend the political significance of the Ascension, we must first consider the historical context. Jesus lived and ministered under the oppressive Roman Empire, a regime characterized by dominance, hierarchy, and exploitation. In this era, power and authority were centralized, and any dissent was met with brutal suppression. This sounds so familiar... Against this backdrop, the Ascension of Jes...